Stress - Gas Ya Head Up - 1999

 

12" - 1999 - Stress  

I've seen this wax floating around a few times on social media, and one of the tracks entitled "Gas Ya Head Up" appeared in a few mixes recently.  This song is the first track of the B-side of this 12" released in 1999 by the New Jersey-based emcee/producer Stress. 

The track is produced by Stress, and engineered, mixed & recorded at the Safe House by Madman G a.k.a Gee The Madman, who is a member of the group Massive Staff and who also produced the legendary joint "Crab" released by Fierce in 1996. Safe House was a home studio owned by Kyle Knordle a.k.a Knowledge (of Massive Staff) which was based in East Orange, NJ. It was a creative center for numerous underground new jersey artists at that time. If you're looking for more info about Stress, I asked him a few questions in a short interview ... 

Stress, where are you from exactly ?

Stress : " I grew up in East Orange, New Jersey. These days I live in Newark, New Jersey, but I'm from East Orange."

 

Could you tell me how everything first started for you as emcee and producer ?

Stress : " When I was younger, I played the upright bass and also the trumpet. I was in the school band, the orchestra and the jazz band.  I was in all city bands throughout the school district. I also was in the church choir. So I had a pretty solid music foundation. My uncle had his own band and used to do shows and back up artists like Stephanie Mills. He played keyboard and used to take me to his rehearsals. At the same time my other uncle was getting into rapping and breakdancing Not to mention, my mother wrote poetry....This is where it starts for me... When I first heard my uncle rap, I knew that's how I wanted to express myself.  The production just went with it. I never saw myself not doing both. I started off making pause tapes to make instrumentals. Then my mom bought me a gemini sampler and a karaoke machine and I just went from there. I was making tapes in my attic and giving them out at school." 

What were your hip-hop influences at the time ?

Stress : " I was influenced by everything. But as far as hip hop, The Beatminerz, Dj Premier, Rza, Pete Rock, Prince, Larry Smith, Quincy Jones and so on.. There's so many to name. "

"Gas Ya Head Up" is co-produced by Madman G . How did the connection happen with him ?

Stress : " As far as "Gas Ya Head Up", that song is the first song I ever recorded in a studio! I had a skeleton of the track done on a tape, and I wanted to do a song to it.

I wanted better quality than my karaoke tapes so I started looking for a place to record. I went to school with Madman Gee's younger brother. He told me his brother had a place, so I just went there. He charged me 25/hr and we laid the song. He added the sample that's running over the main part of the beat and did all the drops. We did the song in 45 mins. I thought to myself, I'm gonna keep coming back here. "

Were you affiliated with a crew at that time ? 

Stress : " I was affiliated with a crew from High School called B.U.K. -  BUNCH UV KILLAZ... Broke Unfortunate Kids ... We had a lot of acronyms !

The hook itself from "Gas Ya Head" is a nod to my man Great Dane (RIP) from our crew. He said that line in a song. I used it for a hook."

Do you remember how many copies of the 12" were pressed in 1999 ? 

Stress : " I believe I pressed 300 promo copies of that record. Funny thing is, the single we were promoting was the song "Impact". "Gas Ya Head Up" was a B-side. We pressed it in 1999 but "Gas Ya head" was recorded in 1996 as part of my original demo tape. 

What amazes me is that all these years later, people from overseas and other place are seeking out that song !"

Mad Props to Stress, thanks for your time. 

Serious Business - HHC 1991

From HHC - September 1991 - Scans courtesy of Repo136

Pandemonium - Rough Luxury Records - 1993

 

Tape -1993 - Rough Luxury Records 

Here is a compilation album entitled "Pandemonium" released on cassette tape in 1993. The comp features all the emcees signed in the early 90s by Rough Luxury Records, a NYC-based label founded and managed by Cris Is Bliss. Rough Luxury fam consisted of groups or artists named Twist It Mines, Stepin Strong, Black Village, 2 Of A Kind, L.O.E., Vibe & Sond (DJ Sond), L.A.T., Mad Style and Universal M.C.'s better known under the name of UMC's (Haas G & Kool Kim).

Photos courtesy of Rough Luxury Records 

The tape is really hard to find nowadays. For the vinyl heads you need to know that a vinyl test press also exists, but honestly I wish you good luck to grab one. 

Mad Props to Fred Thecle 

New Joint : Penpals - Stinko Slang - 2022

Penpals members' Rapswell & Bobby Noble drop a brand new joint fully produced by the Doppelgangaz. 

Video : Body Bag Ben - Hiroshima - 2022

 

The Oxnard,Ca-based emcee Body Bag Ben drops the video for "Hiroshima", off his forthcoming Vulgar Display (episode 2) LP. The video is directed by Meta Megatron.

Video : Chant X V8ga X K-Hill - Prosperity Road - 2022

Here is the visual for "Prosperity Road", the latest joint released by 

Chant, V8ga & K-Hill featuring Keisha Shontelle. Video directed by Rashaad McNeil for RM Photography. 

Mix : Dj Skeli - Chill Type Flavaz

DJ Skeli is back with the 13th episode of his indie hip-hop Instrumental mix series. Enjoy !

Ready Ta Roll - Ready Ta Roll: The EP - 2022

 

CD EP - 2022 - HHE  

"Ready Ta Roll was a 90’s hip hop group from Jersey City, NJ. Mark “M.C. Supreme” Curry (Rapper/Producer) , Eric “Tysheen” Freeman (DJ), Christopher “Rizzo” Warren (Hype-Man) & Joseph “Music Maestro J-Rule” Jenkins (Producer) released several singles including underground classics “The Real Hip Hop” & “Drug Game” between 1993 & 1994. The group’s single “Drug Game” was recognized by The Source magazine with a powerful write up praising them for the songs socially conscious lyrics. The music video was shot by then up and coming video director Hype Williams and debuted on Ralph McDaniel’ Video Music Box as well as Bet’s Rap City. The group parted ways in the late 90’s and Supreme who later changed his name to Chop Diesel went on to form a production collective called “The Dream Team”. Their production credits include Ali Vegas, AZ, Nas, 50 Cent, LL Cool J, Diddy, Run-DMC, DJ Kay Slay, Teddy Riley, Dave Hollister & more." - courtesy of Hip-Hop Enterprise

From The Source, May 1995

Only available on CD format (300 Copies) for now. The EP will be also available on vinyl this summer... stay tuned !

Pre-Order  

Unreleased Joints

Here is a new batch of unreleased Joints uploaded by my man Hakan Dougpark on his YouTube Channel ... Most of those tracks recorded by groups like House Of Pain, Trends Of Culture, Bushwackas, ONYX or Mad Flava, are from advanced Promo Cassettes and have been cancelled from the official albums... Check his channel to listen to more dope material !! Peace

Discreet Merchants - Mouth Of Madness - 2000

12" - 2000 - 8th & Dawson Records 

Let's talk about this 12" released by Producing crew named Discreet Merchants from Long Beach,Ca, a group consisting of Ptah (Herb), Deviant and Xsite.

"Mouth Madness" came out in 2000 on 8th & Dawson Records. The song features Moziz, an emcee originally from Long Beach, Ca who is now living in Phoenix, Arizona. It also features Field Marshall from Long Beach on the cuts. This is the only track available on the record, Radio version on the A-side and instrumental version on the flip side. 

Moziz - Photo courtesy of Moziz Mcdonald

About the connection between all the group members, you need to know that Ptah and Deviant are apart of a diggin crew named Drum Majors, along with Aaron and Einstein from Ugly Ducklings. And Xsite and Pthat were from a dance group in the late 80's/early 90's called Prime Time. They were back up dancers...

Prime Time - Photo courtesy of Ptah

They came up with the producing group name in 1998. Discreet meaning underground, Merchants meaning working...They work and dwell in the Underground. 

They didn’t put out any other projects as producers after the 12", but they did put out projects from their label 8th & Dawson Records. Ptah, Deviant & Xsite owned the label, then they added Swiss Precise (Halfway House Mcees) & Dizzy Dustin (from Ugly Ducklings) a few years later. The label isn't still active nowadays unfortunately but Discreet Merchants is thinking about release a bunch of content from the late 90's and 2000's. 

Mad Props to Ptah 

Future Flavas w/Marley Marl & Pete Rock - May 2000

 

Here is an episode of the Future Flavas Radio Show with Marley Marl and Pete Rock aired in May 2000 on Hot97. It features an Interview and a Freestyle of A.G (Showbiz & A.G / DITC) who was invited for the release of his solo debut album "The Dirty Version". Party Arty of the Ghetto Dwellas was also there that night... Rest In Peace. 

  

Rah Digga - Straight Spittin’ Part II

D.I.T.C - Stand Strong 

Killah Priest Feat Canibus -Bop Your Head

Common - Payback is a Grandmother

Common Feat Slum Village - Thelonius 

Edo.G - Sayin’ Something 

Talk Break

Edo.G - Situations

Talk Break

A.G Interview

A.G feat Guru, O.C & Party Arty - Weed Scented

Krumb Snatcha Feat Teflon -  Ask Ya Self

Talk Break

A.G Interview

A.G & Party Arty (RIP) Freestyle

Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito Show - June 11th 1998 - WKCR

 

Here is an episode of the Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito Show uploaded by Maddawg 76. The show was aired on June 11, 1998 on WKCR and it features Interview & Freestyle from Danny Hoch & Kardinal Offishal. 

The Firm – Phone Tap (Remix)

Black Moon – War Zone

Defari – Never Lose Touch

Paula Perry – Extra Extra

Cam'Ron – Glory

Camp Lo – Sunkiss

A Tribe Called Quest ft. Busta Rhymes & Redman – Steppin' It Up

Heltah Skeltah – Caca Gosa Vixen

O.C. ft. M.O.P. – Down 4 Whateva

Pharoahe Monch – Queens

Kool G Rap – Foul Cats

Wu-Tang Clan – Reunited

Tommy Tee ft. FT & P-Dap – Blood Rush

Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz – Streets to da Stage

Big Twan – My Mic

Talk Break / Emergency Test

Danny Hoch – '98 Stretch & Bobbito Interview

Kardinal Offishal – '98 Stretch & Bobbito Interview & Freestyle

FT – F-It-Less

Dynasty – Wildcat

Big Punisher ft. Black Thought – Super Lyrical

Sauce Money ft. Jay-Z – Pre-Game

Black Star – Definition

Rahsheed & Ill Advised – Redd Hott

Company Flow – End to End Burners

Saukrates ft. Pharoahe Monch – Innovations

Gangstarr ft. Inspectah Deck – Above the Clouds

F.E.N.C.E. Men – Head to Head

Buc Fifty – Dead End Street

M.O.P. – Fly Nigga Hill Figga

Shabaam Sahdeeq – Pendulum

Powerule – Heatin' Up

ACD – Most Niggaz

Noreaga – Thugged Out

Talk Break/ Krunchtime

Radio Show : NO TV RAPS - May 20th 2022

Almost 2 Hours of 90s indie hip-hop joints selected and mixed by SampleMind & Rug. Here is the latest episode of No TV Raps Radio Show aired on May 20th on Radio FSK, Hamburg (Germany).

The Wicked Takeover Ep#33 : The 520 Edition 1989 - 1995

 

33rd episode of The Wicked Takeover aired on May 20, 2022 on WRAPfm and hosted by DJ Wicked.

"The Wicked Takeover brings you deep into the Vinyl crates of Wicked. Expect to hear everything from album cuts to b-sides, remixes, white labels, bootlegs, etc. You'll also hear Hip-Hop from the Golden Era of 1988 to the Mid-90's all the way to current times. A large focus will be on 2k Hip-Hop, especially 2010 to current. Fridays 9pm EST | 6pm PST www.wrap.fm"

Lords Of Ale - Craft Rules Everything EP - 2022

 

Lords Of Ale is Jamar Equality, Blazy Green & Mad One a.k.a Mad1ne. The crew drop the 4-Track EP "Craft Rules Everything" entirely produced by Blazy Green. 

Rob Gonzales - All Said & Done - 2022

 

Rob G from Phoenix, AZ drops "All Said & Done" which is a 10-track EP fully produced by DJ Proof from Miami, FL. It's only available Digitally for now. 

Comet MadMen - Authentic Kloth - 2022

 

LP - 2022 - Mad Men Entertainment 

The Bellport/Long Island,NY-based emcee Comet drops the vinyl version of his new album "Authentic Kloth" produced entirely by Swab for "Mad Men Entertainment & Screwball".

A1 - Snakes Hiss’n

A2 - Carry Thru My Pain ft Indigo Phoenyx, St Ivan The Terrible

A3 - Closed Door Meetings

A4 - Crescent Skrolls ft Tone Of Voice

B1 - Authentic Kloth

B2 - Foreign Wasteland

B3 - 92 Hi-Tech ft Blaq Poet

B4 - Bar Work

100 copies only...

Pre-Order  

The album is also available on CD (Jewel Case and Metal Box) via his Bandcamp. 

Dereliks - Broken Cyphers The Anthology - 2022

4xLP - 2022 - Diggers Factory 

Here is the definitive anthology from The Dereliks, available on 180 gram 4xLP (gatefold) which includes a remastered version of their EP "A Turn on the Wheel is Worth More Than a Record Deal", originally released in 1995 on Low Self Discipline Records.

It also includes liner notes, original artwork, and unseen private photos from their collection. It also features the first-ever vinyl pressing and never heard material from their studio-recorded catalog 1992-1997.

A1 - I Am A Record

A2 - Birds & Bees

A3 - The Phrase That Pays

A4 - I Am An Instrumental

B1 - Iz On Some Other

B2- The Mate That Fate Created

B3 - Hen On Some Other

C1 - Desperately Seeking Nola Darling

C2 - Trip Off The Past

C3 - Seasons Bring Change 2

C4 - A.S.T.A.P.G.O.T.B.

D1 - Strive

D2 - Dereliktual Band

D3 - Summer I Fall (Revisited)

E1 - Instrumental

E2 - Drama Club

E3 - Period

E4 - Ruckus 1

F1 - No Gnuz Remix

F2 - Charlie Brown Xmas

F3 - Mate 89

F4 - At a Loss

G1 - Nola Remix

G2 - R Shady

G3 - West Got Stress

H1 - Dumb (Produced by D-Styles, Cuts by D Styles)

H2 - Trains

H3 - End This World

100 copies only....

Pre-Order  

From Urb Magazine No. 28, 1993 - Scan courtesy of Billy Jam

 From Subculture Magazine - 1995

KMS / Open Eyes - Sad Love Song / Riot Gear - 1997

 

12" - 1997 - Righteous Elohim Entertainment 

Back in 1997 with this 12" coming straight from North Carolina and released on Righteous Elohim Entertainment. 2 songs only are pressed on this wax, "Sad Song" (Original & Instrumental) on the A-side performed by KMS featuring the duo Grey Matter comprised of Zef & Blaqwatch, and "Riot Gear" (Original & Radio Edit) on the B-side performed by Open Eyes. 

The founding members of Open Eyes were KMS, Sublime (a.k.a Zef Lesson) who produced both tracks of the 12", Black (a.k.a Blaqwatch), Koop D Ville (a.k.a Koop) and Bamboo. They later added DJ Big Mike (a.k.a DJ Izzynice), Strongarm and Shist. 

I recently talked to KMS and I had the opportunity to ask him a few questions... Here is the interview : 

- Where did you all come from exactly ?

KMS : "Mostly from Fayetteville NC. Koop was from Brooklyn, Shist was from Panama City, Florida and Bamboo was from Pittsburgh,PA." 

 

- How did the connection happen between all the members ? 

KMS : "We met at Seventy-First High School. Sublime, Bamboo and me previously were in a group called Dialectics (that also included Rhymes Galore) which were a part of a click called Mental Dimensions or MD’s.  KMS, Sublime, and Bamboo ultimately left to form Open Eyes while Rhymes Galore remained with Mental Dimensions.

While an internal disagreement over the direction of the group caused the split, Open Eyes and MD’s still remained friends and supported each other. Black later met Big Mike at Fayetteville Tech. "

- When did you form the group exactly ?

KMS : "We formed the click in 1996. The original name of the click was called "The Open Eyes Movement" which later evolved into "Open Eyes". I came up with the name and today I have a nonprofit called The Open Eyes Project which is dedicated to fighting poverty." 

- What were your hip-hop music influences at the time ?

KMS : "KRS ONE, Nas, Wu-Tang, Bootcamp Click, Snoop, Dre, Tupac, Redman, Biggie. My biggest influence and favorite rapper, however, was fellow click member Bamboo. I had only been rapping for 3 years and he was the illest that I ever heard so it had a major influence on my style."

- Where does the name 'Open Eyes' come from ?

 

KMS : "The Open Eyes Movement (Open Eyes) was about consciousness and raw lyrics. The open eyes represented all that we can see externally and internally 3rd eye being the mind. Awareness of the world."

- Who did manage Righteous Elohim Entertainment ? 

KMS : "Sublime's 2 older brothers Kenny and LaVelle managed the group."

- The Elohim Ent. Compilation album "Bless the Mic with the Gods" was supposed to come out after the release of the 12" in 1997 but it has never saw the light of day. Could you tell me what happened ?

KMS : "Bless The Mic was only in name. It was supposed to be a collaboration of songs from each artist on the label, but due to the toxicity within the click the album was never finished and Open Eyes split up.

There was never an official song list for the project. Each artist has access to their original music and I’m sure some music was lost."

 

- Is there any chance to see some unreleased material released one day ? 

KMS : "I have an unreleased album called “Talk to Me” that should have been a follow up to "Glory" but was not released due to recording issues. I would be open to releasing my album. I cannot speak for any other artist. I just released a new album on March 23rd called "SELF" now streaming on major platforms."

DJ Big Mike a.k.a Izzynice uploaded on his Audiomack a batch of unreleased material recorded by each individual artist or group affiliated with Elohim Entertainment at the time. Check the tracks, everything is mad dope !! 

I wish I could give you more throwback photos of the group members but unfortunately this was the 90s and this promo photo of the duo Grey Matter (Zef & Blaqwatch) is certainly the only one available.

Mad Props to KMS, thanks for your time !